Destination: Morocco

In mid-February, Olivia and Ashton had a week long break from school which, of course, means a travel opportunity for us. So back in the early fall when we spotted a British Airways fare sale to destinations around Europe during that week, we jumped on the opportunity to head to a new continent: Africa! Our destination was Marrakech, Morocco. It's only a three hour flight from London and it offers warmth and sun, two things hard to come by in London in February.

Marrakech is comprised of the Old City and the New City. While our resort was in the New City, the Old City and the medina is where most of the exciting or exotic things to see are and where we spent most of our time.

We had a tour guide take us around the souks, or market. There was so much to take in. Foods, rugs, soaps, herbs & spices, lanterns, clothing, leather goods, art, etc. You name it! It reminded us a lot of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.

Getting a lesson in Moroccan rug making

After visiting the souks, we made our way through the square which was overflowing with people trying to get tourists' money. Although we had to give the guys money for taking photos, we couldn't go to Morocco without seeing the snake charmers and monkeys. I commented to Geoff afterwards that walking through the square made me feel like I had been on the set of an Indiana Jones movie.

My girls had absolutely no hesitations when it came to touching and putting snakes around their necks. Ugh. Just looking at the snakes again in these photos gives me the creeps. Thank goodness for zoom functions on cameras because I was not as close it looks to snap these photos.

After the snakes, it was time with some monkeys which they also loved. Frankly, I thought it was sad seeing the monkeys on chains and wearing clothes and diapers but I guess I didn't help the issue by letting my girls hold the monkeys and giving the monkeys' owners money for letting us do so.

While much warmer and sunnier than London, the weather wasn't hot yet in Marrakech and several of the pools at the resort were still closed for the season. However, there was one pool open and despite its chilly temperature, all the girls wanted to do was swim. Geoff took one for the team and got with them and Quinn and I contently relaxed on the nice, dry sun.

Post visit to the resort's kid's club

Camel riding was one of the top items of our to-do list in Marrakech. The girls loved it. Quinn...not so much. He cried during most of the 30 minute ride. I am thankful that I don't live in a period of time where camel riding is the required mode of transportation. They were uncomfortable and certainly not fast.

On the last day of our trip, we hired a driver to take us into the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, which were about a 45 minute drive away from Marrakech. It was interesting to get out of the city and see how more rural, village life occurs there. It is obviously so different than the hustle and bustle of big, city life that we are accustomed to here in London.

Berber Village

The Berber restaurants creek side

We stopped off at one village to see where they grown various herbs and then watch the process for turning the herbs into various oils, soaps and perfumes.